1. What is Critical Velocity?

Definition: Critical velocity is the minimum velocity needed to maintain a certain flow or movement between two points with different distances and time measurements.

Purpose: It helps in fluid dynamics, engineering, and physics to determine the minimum speed required for continuous flow or movement between two points.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( CV \) — Critical velocity (meters/second)
• \( D2 \) — Longer distance (meters)
• \( D1 \) — Shorter distance (meters)
• \( T2 \) — Time for longer distance (seconds)
• \( T1 \) — Time for shorter distance (seconds)

Explanation: The difference in distances is divided by the difference in times to determine the critical velocity between the two points.

3. Importance of Critical Velocity Calculation

Details: Critical velocity calculations are essential in designing piping systems, aerodynamics, and any application where maintaining minimum flow velocity is crucial.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both distances (D2 > D1) and both times (T2 > T1). All values must be positive numbers with D2 > D1 and T2 > T1.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between critical velocity and average velocity?
A: Critical velocity is the minimum required velocity, while average velocity is simply total distance divided by total time.

Q2: Can critical velocity be negative?
A: No, critical velocity is always positive as it represents a minimum speed requirement.

Q3: What units should I use for inputs?
A: Use meters for distances and seconds for time to get m/s output. Convert other units accordingly.

Q4: What if T2 equals T1?
A: The calculation becomes undefined (division by zero) as there's no time difference between measurements.

Q5: How is this different from terminal velocity?
A: Critical velocity is about maintaining flow, while terminal velocity is the maximum speed an object reaches when falling through a fluid.